Hundreds of residents in northeastern Australia have been forced to evacuate as severe floods have isolated several towns, pushing many to clamber onto their rooftops to seek refuge from the encroaching waters.
In the state of Queensland, over 300 individuals were rescued overnight; the military has dispatched helicopters to aid those stranded by the deluge, officials announced on Monday.
Cairns, a city beloved by tourists and the primary gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, has seen floodwaters nearly sever it from the outside world, raising concerns that its 160,000 residents may soon face a shortage of potable water.
Officials reported that Cairns was drenched with approximately 600mm of rain in just 40 hours as of early Monday morning, an amount exceeding threefold the average for December.
Cairns Airport, affected by the floods with partially submerged infrastructure, saw all flights either cancelled or delayed on Monday.
Authoritative sources state that over 14,000 properties in the region are currently without electricity.
In the remote community of Wujal Wujal, located in the Cape York region, a group of nine, including a child of seven, sought sanctuary atop a hospital's roof.
In several rural locales, including Wujal Wujal and Ingham, there have been sightings of crocodiles navigating the floodwaters.
This flood crisis stems from the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which struck Australia this past week, carrying with it a barrage of torrential rains and forceful gusts.
Steven Miles, the Premier of Queensland, expressed that this flooding event is the most severe natural disaster he has witnessed in the state. "The problem is the rain keeps falling, and until it lets up, we are unable to mobilize aerial support to the secluded areas," Miles related to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Treasurer of Queensland, Cameron Dick, has projected that the disaster will inflict a "billion-dollar impact" on the state's economy.
The weather service has warned of more rain on Monday, as Jasper is anticipated to persist in the area.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that the Australian military has been readied to participate in rescue operations and provide necessary aid.
